_ Can you tell if the food you are buying is genetically modified ,or is truly organic or just plain grown with pesticides,fungicides or artificial chemical fertilizers? CPU 's starting with number 4 is regular produce,organic produce starts with a 9 ,whereas genetically modified produce starts with a 8.

ARE YOU GLUTEN SENSITIVE?Many are walking around with it, but have no idea how it’s affecting their health. Many people with chronic ill health and no diagnosis may be suffering from gluten intolerance. Some symptoms include: digestive problems (frequent indigestion, frequent gas, light or clay colored stools,bloating, abdominal distension, chronic diarrhea or constipation), irritability or moodiness, depression, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, aching joints, skin Rashes (eczema, psoriasis, boils) and sudden weight changes.If you have any of these symptoms and they are undiagnosed, please get tested for gluten insensitivity. If you cannot afford the tests (since most allopathic insurances will not cover them) go off gluten for a minimum of three months to see if you experience a reduction in your symptoms. What is gluten? It is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye. It gives elasticity to dough, helping it to rise and to keep its shape, and often giving the final product a chewy texture.You’ll find gluten in most breads, cereals and processed foods. You’ll have to start reading labels carefully. Flours that are gluten free include: almond, amaranth, carob, buckwheat, kasha, sweet chestnut, millet , quinoa,rice, sesame, sorghum, and soya.Grains that are gluten free include: rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat flakes and corn.Where do you go to find recipes and more information? There is a wealth of information on living gluten free. Just search the internet and you’ll find websites dedicated to the subject. You’ll also find great recipes and products that will help you ease into the lifestyle change. If you are gluten sensitive, a non-gluten lifestyle change can actually change your life!

Did you know you have a natural warrior that fights off viruses? It’s called your immune system. When our immune system is compromised, it is not able to tackle the tough job of protecting you from disease. Here are some tips to increase your immune system and fight off the flu and cold.

• Through the flu season should go on chewable Vitamin 1-2 grams a day • Herbs that boost immunity and help ward off viruses include Astragalus root, Garlic, Parthenium root, Echinacea, Schizandra and Siberian ginseng. Elderberry tea, and Green Tea extract • Avoid eating dairy products, fried foods, sugar, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, and food additives. • Drink plenty of fluids, at least two quarts of water a day. • Stay warm and get plenty of rest.

Vitamine D has been in the news a lot recently ...it seems ,contrary to our beilef that we must be O K with Vit d levels as we are in the sun a lot ,majority of us are Vit d defecient .It is true that we really need 10-15 mts of sunexposure of our naked body between 2-4 Pm.We may be in the sun but we are all covered up with clothing or every exposed part of our body is lathered with Sunscreen with the highest possible S P F Number! Vit D is a pro-hormone and very active in multiple systems in the body . Besides the obvious role in Bone health , Vit D is vital in proper finction of our immune system,decrease the incidence of breast &colon Cancers . It plays a big role in Multiple Sclerosis. If grandma is having frequent falls ,check her Vit D levels , higher the number the less the falls !!.

Well controlled studies are now confirming the fact that acid suppressing medications leads to incresed hip fractures .The mechanism is simple .. the acid is needed to absorb the calcium from the diet or the supplements .Not only the calcium is not absorbed neither is iron ,zinc and other trace elements needed for bone health .

These medications do wonders when taken for an ulcer in the stomatch or the duodenum,but the need is only for 4-12 weeks not months !

Symptoms of heartburns are rarely secondary to too much acid ,more often they are due to too little acid which results in maldigestion and putrifaction of the food .

SO TRY TO CUT BACK/STOP THE ACID SUPPRESSERS YOU MAY BE ON,CLEAN UP YOUR DIET !!

Recent study by Dr Chiuve and her associates and supported by National Institutes of health and the American Heart Asociation ,showed it was possible to decrease risk of heart related sudden deaths in middle aged women by life style modification interventions . The four modifiable factors looked at were --smoking.lack of excercise,obesity and poor diet .So once again we have confirmation of the fact that smoking,being overweight , not excercising and eating an unhealthy diet leads to ILL HEALTH AND EARLY DEATH!

SO, easy ,simple ,no cost interventions can not only prolong your life but also give meaning and optimal health to this prolinged life ! GO OUT AND WALK

Another universal tip comes from what was once thought of as a healthy alternitive to butter, margarin. The problem is that margarin is filled what trans-fats or hydrogenated oils. These oils are manipulated into a form which interacts with your body more like a plastic then a food. Hydrogenated oils scar the arteries and veins and damage the integrity of the cell walls. Check food labels and make sure "hydrogenated oils" of any kind are absent from the ingredients before you eat.

I want to give you one Quick Tip which can start you off in the right direction. For people taking medications for anything from heart disease, to cancer and diabetes eliminating this one thing from your diet can help reduce your need for medication, artificial sweeteners. For a long time artifical sweeteners were considered the healthy zero calory alternative to sugar. To date there are dozenes of studies linking these compounds to everything from nervous system disorders to obesity and diabetes. Botom line make sure these compounds are eliminated from your diet and you may find your self clicer the a healthy lower dose of your medications.